SEPTEMBER Volunteer Newsletter
er g g cJa to M i e M in ld lik u l wo ish al w s, r e ch a e t s& t n e p a r n ts a r t de ta u s t l s r fu o o l e d h n wo he sc t to year!
Sept. 10th & 24th
Farrier Days
Sept. 8th
Fall Interns first day!
Sept.11th
Horsemanship Clinic with DEFHR Trainers
Sept. 18th and 19th
Tink’s Tack Room Opening Hours 9am-4pm
Looking back at
Fun at MoCo Fair!
Thank you to all of our summer youth volunteers!
NEW MERCH!
Comings and Goings
Milo
Mighty Miller
Himalaya
Comings
Goings
Loretta Leigh Mighty Miller Willum (return) Mochi (return)
Foxy Falla (RIP) Kind Koda (RIP) Himalaya Eema (RIP)
HORSE SPOTLIGHT
Yaxly Yaxly (JC name: Rambo’s Quest) is a 2021 unraced thoroughbred gelding with unlimited potential! Yaxly rides english and western, walk/trot/canter, and has been started over fences. He recently went offsite to his first show at the Howard County Fair and handled the new atmosphere with ease… even falling asleep tied to the trailer! Yaxly has experience with groundwork including long lining, lunging, and obstacle work (he is very brave)! Yaxly is a wonderful gentleman! He has a super comfortable trot and a big canter stride. He has recently been started over fences- building a foundation in trot fences and gymnastic work, while primarily focusing on his flatwork. While he is unimpressed with the 18”-2’ fences, Yaxly has shown that with the right development, he has potential for much more. Yaxly has a goofy personality, very loving and easy to get along with! He currently wears front shoes, no maintenance, and lives out 24/7. If you’re looking for your next all-around sport horse, Yax is the man! We cannot wait to follow along his journey to see where he’s heading next!
PLEASE WELCOME TO THE TEAM...
Ca C asse ey y JJo onneess Equine Health Manager
Casey brings a lifetime of horse experience and a strong background that includes equine management, veterinary medicine, rehabilitation, breeding operations, instruction, and business ownership. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Studies and Equine Business Management from the University of Findlay and has spent her career building both practical knowledge and leadership experience. Throughout her career, she has managed boarding facilities, worked on a breeding farm, taught riding lessons, owned and operated a feed and tack store, and volunteered with horse rescues. We are so excited to welcome her to the team!
Leading a Legacy! From Legacy Campers to Volunteers!
Abby & Eddie in 2016
Abby & O’Malley in 2026
Abby and Monika met at DEFHR’s Legacy Camp over 8 years ago! They both came back as adults to volunteer this summer- logging over 20 hours in just their first few weeks. We have had so much fun reminiscing about all of the horses they worked with at camp, and had to recreate some old camp memories pictured here! We are so happy to see the seeds of empathy that are planted in Legacy Camp Bloom. Monika & Turvey in 2026
Monika & Zane in 2017
BUILDING
4
WHAT’S NEXT
As DEFHR continues to grow, so does our team. With the Equine Discovery Center under construction and exciting new initiatives on the horizon, we're thoughtfully aligning our staff today to prepare for tomorrow. Over the next several months, you'll notice some familiar faces taking on new responsibilities as we continue building an organization ready for the future.
The Equine Discovery Center (our renovated Lisbon Firehouse) will become the hub for tours, educational programs, community engagement, and interactive exhibits that help visitors better understand equine welfare—and ultimately help us do what we do best: help more horses.
BUILDING
4
WHAT’S NEXT
Great people make great organizations. As DEFHR continues to grow, we're thoughtfully aligning our team so everyone can spend more time doing what they do best.
Welcome Back to the Barn, Brittney! Brittney's history with DEFHR spans two decades. She first joined the organization as an intern while earning her degree in Equine Science from the University of Maryland and has since served in several leadership roles, including Farm Manager, Equine Health Director, and most recently Manager of our Owner 2 Owner program. We're incredibly fortunate to have Brittney stepping back into the barn in a key leadership role. Her extensive institutional knowledge, leadership experience, and deep commitment to DEFHR will help strengthen our equine care programs as we continue preparing for the organization's next phase of growth.
Making an Even BIGGER Impact! If you've ever witnessed an equine seizure, attended a law enforcement training, or heard about one of DEFHR's cruelty investigations, chances are you've seen DeEtte in action. As DEFHR continues to grow, we're intentionally realigning responsibilities across the organization to allow greater focus in areas where our expertise can have the greatest impact. For DeEtte, that means spending less time on the day-today operational responsibilities within the barn and more time supporting the critical work she does alongside law enforcement, animal control, prosecutors, veterinarians, and other professional partners. Her experience in investigations, legal documentation, case management, and professional consultation continues to strengthen DEFHR's role as a trusted resource for agencies throughout the region and helps improve outcomes for horses far beyond our current reach.
BUILDING
4
WHAT’S NEXT
The changes don't stop there! Here's what you'll see over the coming months as we continue preparing for DEFHR's next chapter.
Way to Go, Kelsey! After doing a tremendous job growing and strengthening DEFHR's volunteer program, Kelsey will begin transitioning into the role of Equine Discovery Center Manager, helping prepare the Center for its opening next year. Kelsey will continue leading many of DEFHR's educational initiatives while developing tours, interactive learning experiences, community engagement opportunities, and exciting new volunteer roles that will bring the Equine Discovery Center to life. Interested in being one of the first volunteers involved? Email Kelsey to express your interest and begin onboarding this winter and spring!
Looking Ahead... Over the coming months, you'll also see us recruiting for two new positions: Operations Manager, who will help oversee many of the operational responsibilities currently shared across departments, allowing our leadership team to spend more time focused on strategic growth, partnerships, and advancing DEFHR's mission. Volunteer Coordinator, who will have some big shoes to fill as they build on the incredible volunteer program Kelsey has created and continue supporting the amazing volunteers who make so much of our work possible.
Exciting Times At DEFHR! While you may notice a few familiar faces in new places around the farm, one thing hasn't changed—our commitment to the horses and to the incredible community that makes this work possible. These changes are all about building for the future, creating opportunities for our staff to focus on what they do best, and positioning DEFHR for the next exciting chapter. The best part? We're just getting started.
for growing with us!
Volunteers Needed! Volunteers Needed! Volunteer Shifts: 3pm-6pm or 6pm-9pm
-Tours -Souvenirs -Admissions -Beer Tent -Set Up -Trash Trotters
If you would like to volunteer please email volunteer@defhr.org with shift time preference! DEADLINE FOR VOLUNTEER SIGN UP: SEPTEMBER 25TH!
CALLING ALL SCOUTS! Fall Scout Day 2026 October 24th
TINK’S TACK & TREASURES September 18th and 19th 9AM-4PM e s a ur e Pl it o ’s! t s vi hlis s i w
NEW DEFHR MERCH
at the farm!
or visit our online shop
New “Leading a Legacy” tee only available on- site!
Help us grow our CSA partnership with
Encourage friends, family and neighbors to sign up for a subscription box for peakseason fresh local produce. Each week you’ll receive a variety of fruits, veggies and herbs-hand selected by the farmer himself. A great way to support the farm, an the environment all while enjoying fresh veggies!
HERE!
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September Volunteer Newsletter
Days End Farm Horse Rescue 1372 Woodbine Road Woodbine, Maryland 21797 301.854.5037 | info@defhr.org www.defhr.org Follow Us
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